Rep. Adelita Grijalva Says ICE Pepper-Sprayed Her During Tucson Raid; DHS Disputes Claim
TUCSON, Ariz. — Arizona Rep. Adelita Grijalva said Friday that she was pepper-sprayed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents during a raid outside a Tucson restaurant, an account the Department of Homeland Security is disputing.
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In a video posted to social media, Grijalva said she approached agents to request information about the operation when an officer “pushed aside” her staff and fired pepper spray in her direction. The footage shows agents deploying pepper-ball munitions near the area where the congresswoman was standing.
Grijalva said the incident occurred as roughly 40 ICE agents conducted a raid connected to an ongoing federal investigation into alleged immigration and tax violations involving local businesses.
DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin pushed back on the congresswoman’s account, saying Grijalva “was not pepper-sprayed,” but was “in the vicinity of someone who was pepper-sprayed as they were obstructing and assaulting law enforcement.” DHS also said two officers were injured during the confrontation.
ICE has not released full details of the enforcement action. Grijalva said she is seeking answers from federal officials and called for greater transparency around the raid.
The incident is under review, and both sides say additional information will be released as it becomes available.